and took up the weapon which had been left in my charge

gave us for the balance of the month not only comparative rest, but

entire immunity from the dangers of a renewed effort to gobble my

isolated outpost. In addition to all this, commendation from my

immediate superiors was promptly tendered through oral and written

congratulations; and their satisfaction at the result of the battle

took definite form a few days later, in the following application for

my promotion, when, by an expedition to Ripley, Miss., most valuable

information as to the enemy's location and plans was captured: